Simple Calzone Recipe – A Stunning Mess

Whereas I like do-it-yourself pizza, I’m additionally an enormous fan of pizza’s modest cousin, calzone. And whereas I’m all for a from-scratch calzone recipe (and I’ll share some under), this submit is extra about methods to make straightforward calzone utilizing several types of crust mixes or store-bought dough.

I actually consider calzone like an empanada formed Scorching Pocket. And that’s not far off, tbh. This straightforward calzone recipe is as when you took a private dimension pizza and folded it over on itself earlier than baking.

Calzone is totally different from stromboli in two methods. Stromboli is rolled, like a pizza cinnamon roll, whereas a calzone solely has a high and backside layer. If a calzone is a pressed sandwich, stromboli is a baked burrito.

The second distinction is calzone is normally made with ricotta cheese (or a mixture of cheese together with ricotta). This provides moisture to the calzone. However, sure, you can also make calzone with out ricotta.

Leap to Recipe

Calzone = dough + sauce + cheese + different fillings (like pepperoni)

One other key to nice calzone is it is best to serve it alongside dipping sauce—ideally marinara. No matter crimson sauce you utilize contained in the calzone could be served for dipping, so that you don’t mandatory must make or purchase two totally different sauces except you wish to.

Different pizza dough recipes can work, however keep away from something that’s tremendous skinny or crispy. These won’t bake as nicely. It’s greatest to stay to a pizza dough recipe that incorporates yeast, though there are some exceptions.

Retailer-bought calzone dough choices:

• Frozen dough for bread loaves – That is my favourite store-bought possibility. Every loaf will make three calzones, so this whole package deal you see above would make 9 calzones if I used it suddenly. You’ll need to thaw and roll this dough out with a rolling pin.
• Refrigerated pizza dough (like Pillsbury) – I additionally like this feature as a result of it really works nicely and is simple to form into plenty of totally different calzones, relying on the dimensions.
• Dry pizza crust combine (like Jiffy) – Though this can work and is essentially the most shelf-stable possibility, it will possibly make your calzone crust type of skinny and dry.

That is the frozen bread dough earlier than rolling it out. No matter dough you utilize, be sure that to roll it out to a desired thickness earlier than baking.

If you happen to go away the dough tremendous thick (greater than 1/2 an inch), it could be type of doughy on the within whereas totally baked to burning on the surface. Alter the bake time as wanted relying on what dough recipe you utilize.

Calzone fillings:

• Sauce – I like crimson sauce. You received’t want a lot for the within of every calzone—only a couple spoonfuls on the most. However you want some on the aspect for dipping. You may make calzone with different sauces like Alfredo or different pasta sauces or BBQ sauce. Any sauce you want on pizza you’ll in all probability like in a calzone.
• Cheese – I normally use a combination of ricotta cheese and shredded mozzarella. The ricotta cheese provides moisture to the within of the calzone so it doesn’t dry out in baking. That being mentioned, if you wish to skip the ricotta, the most effective substitution is contemporary mozzarella which has increased moisture.
• Toppings – Pizza toppings can develop into fillings for calzone. My household likes pepperoni, and if I’ve some contemporary basil, I’ll normally add that too. If you wish to use greens, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about cooking them barely first, like sautéing bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms. However that is private desire and simply relies on what sort of textures you favor.

Roll out the dough. For this bake time I’m recommending right here, the dough needs to be roughly 8-10 inches in diameter and 1/2 an inch thick or much less.

Add a spoonful or two of sauce and unfold kind of evenly towards the sides, leaving somewhat edge throughout.

On half of the calzone add 2-3 tablespoons ricotta cheese, crumbled. Additionally 2-3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella. Then add a handful of any toppings you want.

Fold the dough over on itself, making an empanada form (half moon). I like to make use of a fork to press the sides collectively, however you may also roll them up. This can rely in your dough.

Elective: Brush the tops with an egg wash earlier than baking.

As soon as baked, serve alongside with dipping sauce. If you wish to really feel wholesome, perhaps add a salad. You do you. Take pleasure in! -Emma